Improvement in washing-machines



L. BODENHAMER.

Improvement .in Washing Machines.

Patented Jan. 2, 1872.

f l I @www LEVI ISAACl BODENHAMER, OF RUFFIN, NOBTH CAROLINA.

IIVIPRCDVEAllIllI-INT4 IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,431, dated January 2, 1 872,

4and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same on the line :c x of Fig. l.

In proceeding to ,construct my washer, I first make a large box or body, A, with a curved bottom, as shown in Fig. 2, and mount said box on suitable legs a. Across the inside of the-body A I mount a large horizontal drum,

B, provided with a series of longitudinal brushes, C, at equal .distances apart, and with a series of pads or rubbers, 1),'arranged'lengthwise between the brushes, as shown. The pads or rubbers consist merely ot' bars having elastic faces of rubber or similar material, and having their ends supported upon spiral springs b so that they can yield under pressure. On one of the journalsoi' the drum B I secure apinion, E, and between two uprights, provided for the purpose, I mount a large Wheel, F, gearing into said pinion, as shown in Fig. 2, and to the journal of the wheel F I secure a handcrank, G, by which to turn the same and opi era-te the' drum. By the side of and parallel with drum B I mount a second drinn, H, which has its journals mounted in sliding bars I, which are forced inward by spiral springs c bearing against their ends, so as to keep the face of the drinn in contact with drum B, as shown in both figures. Thea-djustable or movable drum H is for the purpose ot' holding and supporting the articles to be washed, whilethe brushes and pads of drum B act upon them. It consists of two circular heads connected by rigid slats or bars, between which narrow spaces are left, as shown, and for the purpose of holding` the articles in place upon it, it is provided with wire clips c, as shown in both iigures. Over the drum B I place a concave shield or cover ing, J, to prevent water from being thrown out into the room 'by the drinn when it is in rapid motion.

In using the washer the bodyA is filled to a suitable height with hot soap-suds, and one or more articles secured to the drum H l j means Vof the clips e, and the crank G turned so as to give the drum B a rapid rotary motion toward the drum H. The drum H is turned by placing the hand thereon, so as to dip the article into the suds, and then turned slowly backward again, so as to raise the articles and al low the .brushes and pads ot the drinn B to act thereon, the article being dipped into the suds and then 1aised again at short intervals. As the drum H is turned the different portions of the articles are brought successively under the action of the brushes andv pads which thus cleanse the entire surface ofthe articles. The bars carrying thel pads or rubber being mounted on the spiral springs, as described, yield or give when seams or thickl portions of the articles are brought under them, so that there is no danger oi the Iinest fabrics being torn or injured, while at the same time the supporting drum H is forced up by the springs c with sut'- iicient pressure to insure the-removal of all dirt by the brushes and pads.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The cylinder B, provided with the brushes O and yielding beaters D, in combination with the drum H, mounted in Yadjustable bearings I, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as describedl l LEVI ISAAC BODENHAMER.

Witnesses: i v

" J osnrn C. ALLIsoN,

JOHN S. BLAGKWALL. 

